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These are general guidelines for determining minimum yard requirements (setbacks). Please contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-222-1082, TTY711 to confirm the minimum yard requirements for your property before beginning your project.
All zoning districts allow accessory uses and structures in connection with and on the same lot as the principal structure, such as a house in a residentially-zoned district.
Please note that an accessory use or structure attached to a principal building by any wall or roof
construction, shall be deemed to be a part of the principal building and is therefore an addition.
Most accessory uses and structures require the approval of a building permit. For information regarding building permit requirements, please contact the Permit Application Center of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services at 703-222-0801, TTY 711.
The distance from any proposed addition to the property lines is regulated by the minimum yard requirements (setback requirements) set forth in the zoning district regulations in the Zoning Ordinance. Each zoning district has unique minimum required yards and the answer depends on the zoning district in which your property is located. The construction of a deck is also regulated by the minimum yard requirements, but, depending on the height and features of the proposed deck, it may be permitted to extend into the minimum required yards. You will need to contact the Zoning Permit Review Branch of the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-222-1082, TTY 711 to discuss location restrictions on your property.
The county's Zoning Ordinance regulates the location of fences and walls on a lot based on the height of the fence or wall. On most residential lots, the Zoning Ordinance only allows a fence or wall of 4 feet or less in the front yard. Remember that on corner lots, the two yards which lie between the principle building and the intersecting streets are both deemed to be front yards. In a side or rear yard, a fence or wall of not more than 7 feet is generally allowed. There are some limited exceptions to these rules for particular types of lots that abut or are in close proximity to major thoroughfares. For specific information regarding your property and designation of the yards on your lot, please contact the Zoning Permit Review Branch of the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-222-1082, TTY 711. In many instances, a Building Permit is not required for a fence. For information regarding building permit requirements, please contact the Permit Application Center of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services at 703-222-0801, TTY 711.
The county regulates the location of
all free-standing accessory structures and, in most instances, also requires
the approval of a building permit prior to the errection of any structures. Article 10-104 of the Zoning Ordinance regulates the location and permitted height of accessory structures and uses.
No accessory structure or use, except a statue, basketball standard or flagpole, shall
be located (a) in any minimum required front yard on any lot or (b) in any front yard
on any lot containing 36,000 square feet or less. When located in a front yard,
basketball standards shall not be located closer than fifteen feet to a front lot line
or twelve feet to a side lot line, and shall not be used between the hours of 8 p.m.
and 8 a.m.
Generally the following rules apply to the location of accessory structures:
- An accessory structure or use that does not exceed 7 feet in height may be located anywhere in a side or rear yard. Any accessory structure or use that exceeds 7 feet in height shall meet the minimum required side yard setbacks, and shall be located no closer than a distance equal to its height to the rear lot line.
- A shed that is 8 ½ feet or less in total height may be located anywhere in a side or rear yard. Any shed that exceeds 8 ½ feet in height shall meet the minimum required side yard setbacks, and shall be located no closer than a distance equal to its height to the rear lot line.
The total height of the accessory structure is measured from grade to the highest point of
the structure. In instances where there is a slope in grade height is measured from the lowest point of the slope.
These regulations apply regardless of
whether or not a building permit is required. If county
easements are present on a lot, no structures shall encroach
into the ground or air space of the easement. Before locating
a shed on your property, please contact the Zoning Permit
Review Branch of the Department of Planning and Zoning
at 703-222-1082, TTY 711. Building permits are required for sheds
that are attached to an existing structure and for detached
sheds or other accessory structures which are over 150
square feet in area. For information on whether a building
permit is required, please contact the Permit Application
Center of the Department of Public Works and Environmental
Services (DPWES) at 703-222-0801, TTY 711, or view the Garages and Sheds Web page.
For information on permitted extensions into setbacks, please refer to Article 2-412 (PDF) of the Zoning Ordinance.
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